Thankful to find myself here after seeing an instagram post from Jamie about hosting this DietBet challenge and deciding "why not?!!"

Jotting down my thoughts and experiences so far in the starting couple days.

I think the biggest thing that has been a positive influence from this environment is awareness -- being mindful of what I feed myself, listening to my body, even challenging my body and pushing itself to work instead of always being at a rest state as well as also allowing myself to rest and relax. These are all good things!

I love that this is set up in a very doable timeframe to create healthy habits. I know it can be an environment to easily overdo it and that is what I am trying to be mindful of not doing as I have struggled with eating issues in my long gone past. Really if what I can get out of this is sustainable habits like choosing to cook for myself and allowing myself the time to exercise and destress then I've won. Obviously hitting my mark on the scale would be an awesome win too ;-)

Alright let's see here's the run down of the good and bads of the past few days.

Saturday -- weigh in day (start day is officially Monday)
My love made me a yummy breakfast
Walked to the store and got a scale and a new leash for Winnie who had too much fun with her last one lol
Did my weigh in (not too shabby I was a couple pounds higher last time I weighed myself)
Randomly decided to start #yogacamp that I saw on youtube
Yup... pretty mellow day... did get a handstand in there for kicks, can't really remember any other hit/miss details

Sunday --
I'm still in a pretty chill vibe because well hey I feel like I'm an early bird on this one, could be a dangerous mentality but I'm in it to enjoy it
I did bike to my work and do arms, chest, and back at my work gym (oh yeah got a little wheelbarrow move in), then bike back (note -- bike ride was oddly difficult that day)
My love suprised my with lunch, not healthy, but it was sooo good and honestly I was not thrilled about that bike ride fiasco
Worked at the bench on some jewelry
Relaxed

Monday --
Wake up yoga
Breakfast: smoothie (banana, strawberries, peanut butter, cinnamon, almond milk, walnuts sprinkled on top)
Lunch: fruit and nuts (no I'm not starving myself, just unprepared)
Dinner: Brown rice, red beans, onions, serrano peppers, peas, carrots, cheery tomatoes
Snack: deli sliced chicken with sprouts

Tuesday --
Wake up yoga
Breakfast: steamed sunny side up egg, mushrooms, and a mandarin orange
Biked to work (found out my tires were flat, this ride was so much easier!!)
Had some walnuts and water (I've been drinking water all the time these few days btw)
Lunch: leftovas -- yum!
Walked outside our building then went up and down the hall stairs
Mid afternoon: had a couple fritos that were left for me, not even a palm full
Biked home
Dinner: Our home date night, gf pasta with tomato sauce, herbs, ground turkey (absolutely amazing)

That's all. Nothing magical. Have been taking more random walks around the building and standing at my desk more. Oh and I through in curtsey squats or downward dogs whenever I am bored. I am normally a very extreme person so I am hoping to experience this journey in a healthful way where I am making better decisions with both my meals and my activity levels. Some days I'll work hard and some I won't, but I'm not ashamed to enjoy myself and feel good about it. The best advice I heard about the weightloss journey (which I am totally about to ruin) was that was all have different goals and it depends on what we personally want. If you want it enough you'll make it happen, not everyone wants a perfectly clean 40-40-20 diet or to 20/4 fast etc... actually both are things I've enjoyed and will incorporate when they fit my needs. I know about it and it's in my arsenal, but right now balance is my big goal. I've lived a lot of my life either on restrictions (dance, cheer) or overindulgence (college, after college) -- and now I'm ready for something sustainable. I want to be strong and healthy, but I'm not shooting for a bikini model body. Not saying I won't change my mind someday, but I want to spend more time at the bench and working on my art
Hope to look back on this post the wiser and in a better place than I am in this moment. Each day is a day worth learning something new <3